Representing the 24th District of New York

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HOUSE PASSES KATKO LEGISLATION TO SECURE TSA PRECHECK PROGRAM

September 5, 2018

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday evening the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) to secure the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck Program and ensure the safety of the traveling public. Congressman John Katko chairs the House Homeland Security Committee Transportation and Protective Security Subcommittee, which has oversight of TSA.

The PreCheck is PreCheck Act of 2018 (H.R. 6265) is bipartisan legislation which will ensure that only travelers who have undergone the necessary background and security check are able to use the TSA PreCheck screening lanes at airports nationwide.

“Expedited screening through the TSA PreCheck Program allows travelers who have been pre-screened to move through security checkpoints more quickly,” said Rep. Katko. “However, when airport passenger volumes climb, the TSA has routinely allowed travelers who are not members of the PreCheck program to use expedited lanes. Doing so opens up our airports and airlines to vulnerabilities and risks the safety of the traveling public. Rather than moving unscreened passengers through expedited screening lanes, this measure will ensure that the TSA enhances its enrollment processes and develops alternative methods to manage checkpoint wait times.”

Katko’s bill also directs the TSA to conduct a pilot of “risk modified screening” for low-risk passengers. If successful, this program would allow TSA to increase throughput at checkpoints while mitigating some of the vulnerabilities that currently exist. The bill also requires TSA to take marked steps to increase PreCheck enrollment, for example, by partnering with airlines to enhance marketing, improving enrollment flexibility, and making PreCheck enrollment centers more accessible to travelers.